Breaking down Rashford's 300 United appearances

The 24-year-old attacker scored a brace on his debut against FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League in 2016 and hasn’t looked back since.

Since bursting onto the scene six years ago, Rashford has won one Emirates FA Cup, one League Cup and a Europa League with the Reds, scoring 93 goals in the process.

Rashford also reached 200 Premier League appearances last week, and following his most recent landmark, we take a closer look at the statistics behind his meteoric rise from a highly-rated youngster to one of the talented attackers in football...

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Saturday's outing brought up a landmark appearance for @MarcusRashford 👏#MUFC | #MUNNOR pic.twitter.com/KzGJ9dPSRW

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 17, 2022

PREFERRED OPPONENTS

Rashford has impressive records against several clubs, scoring four or more goals against nine teams in total. Of the nine, Leicester City are the opponent against whom Rashford appears most prolific, with the 24-year-old racking up six goals in 14 appearances against the Foxes.

When it comes to goal involvements, however, three sides stand out as Rashford’s preferred opponents. In just eight matches against Newcastle, Rashford has accumulated a total of nine-goal involvements, while the attacker also enjoys playing against Chelsea and West Ham, recording eight goal involvements against both London sides in 14 and 16 fixtures, respectively.

With Rashford set to make his 301^st appearance against Liverpool on Tuesday night, his record against the Merseyside club also makes for pleasant reading. In 12 matches, Rashford has scored five times and assisted once, and there is no doubt the England international will look to add to that tally at Anfield.

TOP TEAM-MATES

United’s no.10 has lined up alongside a wealth of footballing talent in his seven years with the Reds’ first team. When he first broke through, Rashford played alongside United legend Wayne Rooney, whereas now he graces the same field as another legendary Red in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Interestingly, Rashford has racked up the most goal participations with Anthony Martial, who is currently on loan at Sevilla, with a total of 16 in 160 matches together.

However, in far fewer appearances, the 24-year-old’s combination with current Reds midfielder Bruno Fernandes has almost equalled that tally. Since Fernandes joined the club in January 2020, the Portuguese maestro and Rashford have played in 95 matches alongside one another, accumulating 15 goal involvements.

With seven matches remaining of the Premier League season, and Fernandes’ recent contract extension, there is every chance that the duo will combine many more times and eclipse their current tally.

APPEARANCES UNDER DIFFERENT MANAGERS

Rashford was given his first start at United by former boss Louis Van Gaal, going on to make 18 appearances for the Dutchman.

After Jose Mourinho replaced Van Gaal in the summer of 2016, Rashford became a key member of his first team. Under Mourinho, the English attacker made 125 appearances in total.

But it was under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that Rashford played his greatest number of matches in a United shirt. The 24-year-old made 135 appearances for the Norwegian during his three-year tenure at the club.

So far under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, Rashford has played in a total of 19 matches, and he will be looking to add to that tally against Liverpool.

HOME AND AWAY

Does Rashford prefer playing at home or away?

The dynamic attacker has played 146 matches at Old Trafford during his career, 141 away from home, and 13 at neutral venues.

Rashford’s win percentage is higher in neutral venues, winning 8 of the 13 fixtures, while his record at Old Trafford is not far behind with 87 wins in 146 fixtures at the Theatre of Dreams.

RELISHING DIFFERENT ROLES

The 24-year-old has played every position across the front line under different managers, from first emerging as a striker under Van Gaal, to being utilised as a left-winger under Solskjaer.

But which position has proven to be the most fruitful during Rashford’s United career to date?

The position where Rashford has appeared the most for the Reds is on the left side of the attack, as he has played 145 matches there. In that time, Rashford has accumulated 45 goals and 33 assists.

The England international has also racked up an impressive record when playing through the middle. In 112 matches as the central striker, Rashford has scored 39 goals and provided 19 assists.

The 24-year-old has also been used as a right-winger on many occasions, but playing on the left or down the middle tends to be where managers prefer to use Rashford’s raw pace and deadly finishing.

To reach 300 appearances for Manchester United aged just 24 is an incredible achievement, of that there is little doubt.

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s fixture against Liverpool, one of Rashford’s preferred opponents, the England international will hope that his 301^st appearance for the club will end on a positive note, as United face Jurgen Klopp’s side looking to continue the push for the top-four.